bestow definitions

v 1: present; "The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated"; "bestow an honor on someone" [syn: confer, bestow] 2: give as a gift 3: bestow a quality on; "Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company"; "The music added a lot to the play"; "She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings"; "This adds a light note to the program" [syn: lend, impart, bestow, contribute, add, bring]

transitive verbEtymology: Middle English, from be- + stowe place — more at stowDate: 14th century 1. to put to use ;apply<bestowed his spare time on study> 2. to put in a particular or appropriate place ;stow3. to provide with quarters ;put up4. to convey as a gift — usually used with on or uponSynonyms:seegive • bestowalnoun • bestowernoun

Bestow Be*stow", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bestowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bestowing.] [OE. bestowen; pref. be- + stow a place. See Stow.] 1. To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put. ``He bestowed it in a pouch.'' --Sir W. Scott. See that the women are bestowed in safety. --Byron. 2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation. 3. To expend, as money. [Obs.] 4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon. Empire is on us bestowed. --Cowper. Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. --1 Cor. xiii. 3. 5. To give in marriage. I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman. --Tatler. 6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a reflexive pronoun. [Obs.] How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ? --Shak. Syn: To give; grant; present; confer; accord.